JP2020162716A - Sterilizer and handrail - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sterilizer capable of effectively sterilizing a grip rod of a handrail without requiring manual work, and a handrail equipped with the sterilizer.SOLUTION: A sterilizer 2 includes a moving portion that moves in the length direction of the grip rod 10, an ultraviolet irradiator 23 that emits ultraviolet rays, and a housing 20 that internally supports the moving portion and the ultraviolet irradiator 23. The surface of the grip rod 10 is sterilized by irradiating the surface of the grip rod 10 with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 23. Since the moving portion and the ultraviolet irradiator 23 are separately arranged in the moving direction of the moving portion, deterioration of the moving portion due to ultraviolet rays is reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a sterilizing device used for sterilizing a gripping rod of a handrail, and a handrail equipped with the sterilizing device.

In public facilities used by many people, it is important to take sterilization measures targeting the parts that come into contact with the user's body in order to reduce the risk of infection by various pathogens and viruses. The sterilization is realized by cleaning the target portion with, for example, a disinfectant solution such as alcohol or hypochlorous acid water, but there is a problem that the sterilization effect is limited.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a sterilization device using ultraviolet rays (UV). This sterilization device is configured to mount an ultraviolet irradiator on a traveling machine traveling on a floor surface and irradiate the periphery of the traveling path with ultraviolet rays by the operation of the irradiator. Ultraviolet rays, especially ultraviolet rays (UV-C) having a short wavelength of 280 nm or less, have a function of acting on and destroying the DNA of living organisms, and can effectively kill all kinds of pathogens and viruses in a short time. , Good sterilization effect can be obtained.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-046592 JP-A-2015-112439

Many public facilities, especially hospitals and nursing homes, have handrails in corridors, stairs, and throughout the room to assist walking. These handrails have a gripping rod that the user actively grips, and regular sterilization of this gripping rod is indispensable.

The sterilization apparatus described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is configured to sterilize the floor surface, and cannot be applied to sterilization of handrails. In addition, since ultraviolet rays decompose organic substances, there is a risk that the constituent members of the sterilization device and the sterilization target formed of the organic resin or the like will deteriorate or discolor. In Patent Document 2, ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the lower surface and side surfaces of the traveling machine for the purpose of expanding the sterilization range, but ultraviolet rays, especially UV-C, are harmful to the human body and surrounding organic substances. It is not preferable to emit light from the side surface because it causes deterioration of the surface.

Under these circumstances, sterilization of handrails is generally carried out by cleaning the gripping rod with the above-mentioned disinfectant solution, which limits the sterilization effect and is suitable for sterilization of long handrails. There is a problem that it takes a lot of time and effort. In recent years, a hand-held ultraviolet irradiation device has been put into practical use, and it is possible to use this device for sterilizing the gripping rod, but this also requires manpower and includes protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. There is a problem that the labor burden of the workers is large.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a sterilization device capable of effectively sterilizing the gripping rod of the handrail without human intervention, and a hand equipped with the sterilization device. The purpose is to provide a slide.

The sterilization device according to the present disclosure is a sterilization device that is placed on a gripping rod of a handrail and sterilizes the surface of the gripping rod, in the length direction of the gripping rod, along the gripping rod. A moving portion, an ultraviolet irradiator that irradiates the surface of the gripping rod with ultraviolet rays, and a housing that internally supports the moving portion and the ultraviolet irradiator are provided, and the moving portion and the ultraviolet irradiator are described as described above. It is separated in the moving direction of the moving part.

According to the present disclosure, the moving portion moves along the length direction of the grip rod of the handrail, and during this movement, the ultraviolet irradiator supported inside the housing operates to emit ultraviolet rays to the surface of the grip rod. Irradiate. Therefore, pathogens and viruses adhering to the surface of the gripping rod can be killed by the action of ultraviolet rays, and the gripping rod of the handrail can be effectively sterilized without human intervention. Since the moving portion and the ultraviolet irradiator are separated in the moving direction of the moving portion, deterioration of the moving portion due to irradiation with ultraviolet rays can be reduced.

Further, the moving portion includes a first driving wheel that makes contact with the peripheral surface of the gripping rod, and a second driving wheel or a trailing wheel that makes contact with the peripheral surface of the gripping rod at a position in a circumferential direction different from that of the first driving wheel. It is provided with a driving wheel, and is gripped by the gripping rod by the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel or the driven wheel.

The first drive wheel that makes contact with the peripheral surface of the gripping rod and the second drive wheel or driven wheel that makes contact with the peripheral surface of the gripping rod at a position in the circumferential direction different from that of the first drive wheel make the gripping rod stable. I'm holding on to. The second drive wheel may be at least one or two or more. The moving portion moves due to the rotation of the drive wheels in this state. When the driving wheels or the driven wheels are brought into contact with each other, for example, it can be realized by applying an urging force toward the peripheral surface of the gripping rod by a spring interposed at each support position.

A protective layer that protects the housing from ultraviolet rays is formed on the inner surface of the housing.

The protective layer shields UV rays from the UV irradiator toward the inner surface of the housing and protects the housing from UV rays. Therefore, deterioration of the housing due to ultraviolet rays can be prevented, and the life of the housing can be extended.

Further, the protective layer has a function of reflecting ultraviolet rays.

The protective layer reflects ultraviolet rays, and the reflected ultraviolet rays are applied to the gripping rod. As a result, the amount of ultraviolet rays irradiated to the gripping rod increases, so that the sterilizing effect of the gripping rod can be improved.

Further, inside the housing, a shielding member for shielding ultraviolet rays is provided between the ultraviolet irradiator and the moving portion.

The shielding member shields ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator toward the moving part. Therefore, deterioration of the moving portion due to ultraviolet rays can be prevented, and the life of the moving portion can be extended.

Further, the shielding member is provided on both sides of the ultraviolet irradiator in the moving direction.

The shielding member shields ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator toward the above-mentioned moving portions provided on both sides of the ultraviolet irradiator and other constituent members of the sterilization device in the moving direction. Therefore, deterioration of the moving portion and other constituent members due to ultraviolet rays can be prevented, and the life of the moving portion and other constituent members can be extended.

Further, the shielding member has a plate shape.

By making the shielding member plate-shaped, ultraviolet rays can be effectively shielded.

Further, a protective layer that protects the shielding member from ultraviolet rays is formed on the surface of the shielding member.

The protective layer formed on the surface of the shielding member shields the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator toward the shielding member, and protects the shielding member from the ultraviolet rays. Therefore, deterioration of the shielding member due to ultraviolet rays can be prevented, and the life of the shielding member can be extended.

Further, the protective layer has a function of reflecting ultraviolet rays.

The protective layer formed on the surface of the shielding member reflects ultraviolet rays, and the reflected ultraviolet rays are applied to the gripping rod. As a result, the amount of ultraviolet rays irradiated to the gripping rod increases, so that the sterilizing effect of the gripping rod can be improved.

Further, on the outside of the housing, a display unit indicating that the ultraviolet irradiator is irradiating ultraviolet rays is provided.

The presence or absence of ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet irradiator inside the housing can be confirmed from the outside of the housing.

Further, it is provided with a sensing unit that senses whether or not it is correctly placed on the handrail, and irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiator is prohibited according to the sensing of the sensing unit.

If the sterilizer is not installed correctly, the UV irradiator will not irradiate UV light. Therefore, the safety of the sterilization device can be improved.

Further, the handrail according to the present disclosure includes a gripping rod having a photocatalyst layer formed on its surface and the above-mentioned sterilizing device mounted on the gripping rod.

According to the present disclosure, when the sterilizing device irradiates the gripping rod with ultraviolet rays, the photocatalytic layer absorbs the ultraviolet rays and decomposes organic substances to produce a sterilizing effect. Therefore, the sterilization effect can be improved by sterilization by the photocatalyst layer in addition to the sterilization by ultraviolet rays.

Further, a protective layer is formed between the surface of the gripping rod and the photocatalytic layer to protect the gripping rod from decomposition due to photocatalytic action.

For example, a gripping rod made of resin or wood may be deteriorated by decomposition due to photocatalytic action. By forming a protective layer capable of withstanding decomposition due to photocatalytic action between the surface of the gripping rod and the photocatalytic layer, deterioration of the gripping rod can be prevented and the life of the gripping rod can be extended.

Further, the photocatalyst layer contains a photocatalyst that decomposes organic substances by absorbing ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and visible light having a wavelength of 780 nm or less.

In addition to the ultraviolet rays emitted from the sterilization device, the photocatalytic layer can absorb visible light such as sunlight and illumination light around the gripping rod to sterilize the gripping rod by photocatalytic action.

According to the present disclosure, the gripping rod gripped by the user can be effectively sterilized without human intervention.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the use state of the sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a vertical cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of a sterilizer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1 illustrating the internal configuration of the sterilizer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1, which illustrates the internal configuration of the sterilizer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a sterilizer. It is a vertical sectional view of the sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is explanatory drawing explaining the movement of ultraviolet rays and fluorescence around a window hole. It is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5. It is a schematic diagram which shows the use state of the sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6. It is a vertical sectional view of the sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6. It is a schematic diagram of the sterilization apparatus in which the divided housing is connected by the bellows-shaped connecting body. It is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 7.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a usage state of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a handrail to be sterilized, and the gripping rod 10 gripped by the user is attached to the side wall 14 (see FIG. 3) of a corridor, a staircase, etc. by brackets 11 and 11 at a plurality of locations in the length direction. It is configured with fixed support. A sterilizing device 2 is placed on the gripping rod 10 so as to straddle the gripping rod 10.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the sterilizer 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1 showing the internal configuration of the sterilizing device 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1 showing the internal structure of the sterilizing device 2. It is a figure.

The sterilization device 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 includes a thin-walled cylindrical housing 20 in which a gripping rod 10 having a circular cross section is targeted for sterilization and a part in the circumferential direction is omitted. Inside the housing 20, a drive wheel 21 and two trailing wheels 22 are provided on one side of the housing 20 in the length direction, and three ultraviolet irradiators 23 are provided in the central portion in the length direction. The gripping rod 10 is not limited to a circular cross section, and may have, for example, a rectangular cross section. The number and arrangement of the drive wheels 21, the trailing wheels 22, and the ultraviolet irradiator 23 are examples, and the number and arrangement are not limited to those shown in the present embodiment and can be appropriately set.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the drive wheel 21 and the driven wheel 22 at a certain position. The drive wheel 21 is supported at the center of the inner surface of the housing 20 in the circumferential direction so as to be able to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the length direction and the radial direction of the housing 20. The drive wheels 21 are connected to a moving motor 24 fixed to one side of the support position, and are rotationally driven by the moving motor 24. The drive wheel 21, the trailing wheel 22, and the moving motor 24 correspond to the moving portion.

The two trailing wheels 22 are supported at both ends of the inner surface of the housing 20 in the circumferential direction so as to be able to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the length direction and the radial direction of the housing 20, respectively. These driven wheels 22 are urged inward in the radial direction by the urging force of the urging spring 25 interposed between each support shaft and the inner surface of the housing 20. Instead of one or both of the two trailing wheels 22, the drive wheels 21 may be supported.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a position of the ultraviolet irradiator 23. The ultraviolet irradiator 23 is a light emitting element or an ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet rays, particularly ultraviolet rays (UV-C) having a short wavelength of 200 nm or more and 280 nm or less and having an excellent sterilizing effect. The three ultraviolet irradiators 23 are fixed to the inner surface of the housing 20 at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction, and irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the central portion of the housing 20.

Inside the housing 20, a plurality of driven wheels 22, a mobile motor 24, and a battery 26 that serves as a power source for the ultraviolet irradiator 23 are attached to the other side in the length direction. The plurality of driven wheels 22 are supported, for example, at the central portion in the circumferential direction of the housing 20 and both ends in the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the housing 20 so as to be able to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the length direction and the radial direction of the housing 20. ing. These driven wheels 22 are urged inward in the radial direction by the urging force of the urging spring 25 interposed between each support shaft and the inner surface of the housing 20. The mobile motor 24 and the battery 26, and the ultraviolet irradiator 23 and the battery 26 are electrically connected by wiring 27.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sterilization device 2 as described above is provided on one side of the housing 20 in the length direction, a drive wheel 21 and two trailing wheels 22, and on the other side of the housing 20 in the length direction. The plurality of driven wheels 22 to be mounted are set by being transferred to the peripheral surface of the gripping rod 10. Each of the driven wheels 22 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the gripping rod 10 by the urging force of the urging spring 25, and is pressed against the peripheral surface. The elastic contact positions of the two trailing wheels 22 provided on one side of the housing 20 in the length direction are separated by 90 ° or more on both sides of the transfer position of the drive wheels 21, and the urging force of the urging spring 25 is It also acts to press the drive wheel 21 against the peripheral surface of the gripping rod 10. Therefore, the gripping rod 10 is gripped by the drive wheel 21 that is in contact with the peripheral surface and the two trailing wheels 22 that are in contact with the peripheral surface. The moving unit moves along the gripping rod 10 according to the rotation of the drive wheel 21 driven by the moving motor 24, and the sterilizing device 2 moves as shown by the white arrow in FIG. The plurality of driven wheels 22 provided on the other side in the length direction of the housing 20 are in contact with the peripheral surface of the gripping rod 10 and gripped in the same manner as the two driven wheels 22 provided on one side in the length direction of the housing 20. Hold the rod 10. In addition to gripping the gripping rod 10 by the drive wheels 21 and the two trailing wheels 22 provided on one side of the housing 20 in the length direction, a plurality of trailing wheels 22 provided on the other side of the housing 20 in the length direction grip the grip rods 10. By grasping the rod 10, the sterilizing device 2 can move stably. The missing portion of the housing 20 is necessary to allow the support legs (indicated by the alternate long and short dash lines in FIGS. 3 and 4) that support the bracket 11 to the side wall 14 to pass through.

As shown in FIG. 4, three ultraviolet irradiators 23 attached to the inner surface of the housing 20 face the gripping rod 10, and the ultraviolet rays emitted by the respective ultraviolet irradiators 23 irradiate the peripheral surface of the gripping rod 10. Will be done. The surface of the gripping rod 10 is effectively sterilized by irradiating ultraviolet rays inside the housing 20 of the moving sterilizer 2 without manpower over a substantially entire length of the moving range.

The housing 20 surrounds the peripheral portion of the ultraviolet irradiator 23 from the outside, and also functions as a shielding member that shields the ultraviolet rays radiated to the gripping rod 10. As a result, it is possible to prevent ultraviolet rays harmful to the human body from leaking to the outside.

Since the drive wheel 21, the trailing wheel 22, and the ultraviolet irradiator 23 are separated from each other in the length direction of the housing 20, that is, the movement direction of the moving portion, the amount of ultraviolet rays irradiated to the drive wheel 21 and the trailing wheel 22 is small. .. Therefore, deterioration of the driving wheels 21 and the driven wheels 22 due to ultraviolet rays can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sterilization device 2 includes a shielding member 28 provided between the ultraviolet irradiator 23 and the driving wheel 21 and the driven wheel 22, and between the ultraviolet irradiator 23 and the battery 26. There is. The shielding member 28 is a plate that protrudes in the radial direction to the vicinity of the gripping rod 10 on the entire circumference of the inner surface of the housing 20.

The shielding member 28 shields ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 23 toward the arrangement positions of the driving wheels 21, the trailing wheels 22, and the battery 26. Therefore, deterioration of the drive wheel 21, the trailing wheel 22, and the battery 26 due to ultraviolet rays can be prevented.

The shielding member 28 may have a shape other than a plate shape, for example, a brush shape or a sheet shape, and the shape is not limited thereto.

If it is possible to change the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet irradiation device 23 so that the driving wheels 21, the trailing wheels 22 or the battery 26 are not irradiated with the ultraviolet rays, the respective shielding members 28 may be eliminated.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the sterilization device 2. The control unit 3 that controls the operation of the sterilization device 2 by the control operation described later is provided, for example, inside the housing 20, includes the CPU 30, ROM 31, and RAM 32, and is a mobile motor by the operation of the CPU 30 according to the control program stored in the ROM 31. 24 and the ultraviolet irradiator 23 are controlled.

A mobile motor 24 and an ultraviolet irradiator 23 to be controlled are connected to the control unit 3 via separate drive circuits. Further, the control unit 3 includes a pressure sensor 33 that detects the axial load applied to the support shaft of the drive wheel 21, an obstacle sensor 34 that detects the presence or absence of an obstacle on the movement path, and an image around the sterilization device 2. An imaging unit 35 that captures a moving image or a still image) and a transmitting unit 36 that transmits the image to an external device are connected.

The control unit 3 starts the operation in response to the start-up operation, gives an operation command to the mobile motor 24 and the ultraviolet irradiator 23, drives the mobile motor 24, and operates the ultraviolet irradiator 23. The activation operation is, for example, an operation of an activation switch (not shown) provided in the sterilization device 2. The activation operation may be an operation of an external device capable of communicating with the control unit 3.

The pressure sensor 33 transmits the detected axial load to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 determines whether or not the sterilization device 2 is correctly mounted on the handrail 1 based on the axial load transmitted from the pressure sensor 33. For example, when the shaft load transmitted from the pressure sensor 33 is smaller than the threshold value, the control unit 3 determines that the sterilizing device 2 is not correctly placed on the handrail 1, and the shaft transmitted from the pressure sensor 33. When the load is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the sterilizing device 2 is correctly placed on the handrail 1.

The control unit 3 and the pressure sensor 33 function as a sensing unit that senses whether or not the sterilizing device 2 is correctly mounted on the handrail 1. When it is detected that the sterilizer 2 is not correctly placed on the handrail 1, the control unit 3 prohibits the irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiator 23. When it is detected that the sterilizer 2 is correctly placed on the handrail 1, the control unit 3 allows the ultraviolet irradiator 23 to irradiate the ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the safety of the sterilization device 2 can be improved.

If the sterilization device 2 is not correctly mounted on the handrail 1, the control unit 3 may further prohibit the drive of the mobile motor 24.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 3 and the pressure sensor 33 are configured to perform sensing based on the axial load applied to the support shaft of the drive wheel 21, but the sensing method is not limited to this method. The control unit 3 may reduce the amount of ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet irradiator 23.

The obstacle sensor 34 is attached to the outer surface of the housing 20, for example, and includes a light emitting unit that emits light toward the front in the moving direction of the sterilizing device 2 and a light receiving unit that receives the reflected light from the obstacle. It is a sensor.

During the operation of the mobile motor 24 and the ultraviolet irradiator 23, the control unit 3 sequentially captures the output of the obstacle sensor 34, determines the presence or absence of an obstacle in front of the movement path, and if it is determined that there is an obstacle, moves. A stop command is given to the motor 24 and the ultraviolet irradiator 23, and a control operation is performed to stop the mobile motor 24 and the ultraviolet irradiator 23. The control unit 3 waits for the elapse of a preset standby time, releases the stop of the mobile motor 24 and the ultraviolet irradiator 23 when no obstacle is detected after the elapse of the standby time, and even after the elapse of the standby time. If obstacle detection continues, the control operation ends.

The obstacle is, for example, a user's finger that grips the gripping rod 10. In this case, since the sterilization device 2 is stopped by the above-mentioned operation of the control unit 3, it is possible to avoid a collision with the user. Further, since the ultraviolet irradiator 23 also stops operating, the influence of ultraviolet rays on the user can be eliminated. The standby time may be set to a time sufficient for the user to move (for example, several minutes), and the stop of the mobile motor 24 and the ultraviolet irradiator 23 is released after the standby time elapses. Therefore, the sterilizer 2 Operation can be restarted automatically.

The obstacle is, for example, a stopper provided at the end of the movement path. In this case, the mobile motor 24 and the ultraviolet irradiator 23 are stopped by the above-mentioned operation of the control unit 3, and this state continues even after the lapse of the standby time. Therefore, the operation of the sterilization device 2 is automatically stopped at the terminal position. Can be done.

The image pickup unit 35 is, for example, an omnidirectional camera attached to the outer surface of the housing 20 and capable of taking images in all directions.

The imaging unit 35 operates in response to an operation command from the control unit 3 to capture an image around the sterilizing device 2. The control unit 3 captures the captured image of the imaging unit 35 and transmits it to an external device via the transmitting unit 36. The user can visually recognize the captured image transmitted to the external device and appropriately grasp the situation around the moving position of the sterilization device 2. For example, when the sterilization device 2 is operated at night in a public facility such as a hospital or a nursing facility, the captured image can be effectively used as security information of the facility. It is also possible to store the captured image of the imaging unit 35 in a removable storage medium provided in the sterilization device 2, take out the storage medium after the operation is completed, and reproduce the captured image to check the surrounding situation. ..

The transmission unit 36 also functions to transmit the moving position of the sterilization device 2. The moving position can be transmitted as, for example, a GPS signal or a beacon signal. The user can check the moving position of the sterilizing device 2 at any time from the peripheral information transmitted to the external device and monitor the operating status of the sterilizing device 2, for example, promptly when a failure or malfunction occurs. Can be collected and inspected.

When the sterilizing device 2 is mounted on the handrail 1 extending in the vertical direction, the sterilizing device 2 can be moved downward by gravity. In this case, the moving motor 24 can be used as a regenerative brake to suppress the moving speed. The regenerative power generated by the mobile motor 24 can be charged to the battery 26. Since charging is performed by regenerative power during movement, the charging frequency of the battery 26 can be reduced. The sterilization device 2 may be mounted on, for example, a handrail 1 provided in the staircase and inclined with respect to the floor surface. The battery 26 is charged when the sterilizer 2 moves from the upper floor to the lower floor.

For example, when the gripping rod 10 made of resin or wood is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for sterilization, the gripping rod 10 may be deteriorated by the ultraviolet rays, so that the surface of the gripping rod 10 can withstand decomposition by ultraviolet rays. It is desirable that a layer to be obtained is formed.

The sterilization device configured as described above can be provided as a handrail 1 preliminarily equipped at an appropriate position of the continuous gripping rod 10. It is also possible to retrofit the existing handrail 1.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sterilizer 2 according to the second embodiment. Of the configurations according to the second embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the housing 20 and the shielding member 28 are made of resin, they may be deteriorated by the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet irradiator 23, so a protective layer that protects the housing 20 and the shielding member 28 from the ultraviolet rays is required.

In the sterilization device 2 of the second embodiment, the protective layer 201 is formed on the inner surface of the housing 20 sandwiched between the shielding members 28 over the entire circumference. Further, a protective layer 281 is formed on the surface of the shielding member 28 of the second embodiment facing each ultraviolet irradiator 23. The protective layer 201 and the protective layer 281 in FIG. 6 are shown thicker than they actually are in order to clearly indicate their existence.

The protective layer 201 and the protective layer 281 are made of or contain a material that can withstand decomposition by ultraviolet rays. The material is, for example, a metal such as iron, aluminum or copper, an alloy such as stainless steel or brass, or a ceramic such as alumina, apatite, silicon carbide, calcium carbonate, lime or silicate glass. These materials may be used in combination. The protective layer 201 and the protective layer 281 are formed by a method such as coating with a coating liquid containing the material, coating with a sheet containing the material, or the like. When the metal is used as the material, the protective layer 201 and the protective layer 281 are also formed by thin film deposition. The method for forming the protective layer 201 and the protective layer 281 is not limited to these.

The protective layer 201 shields ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 23 toward the inner surface of the housing 20, and the protective layer 281 shields ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 23 toward the shielding member 28. As a result, deterioration of the housing 20 and the shielding member 28 due to ultraviolet rays can be prevented.

Among the above-mentioned materials, when a material having a high reflectance of ultraviolet rays, for example, a metal such as aluminum, alumina, or calcium carbonate is used, the function of reflecting the ultraviolet rays of the protective layer 201 and the protective layer 281 is enhanced, and the reflected ultraviolet rays can be grasped. It is desirable because the sterilizing effect of the gripping rod 10 is improved by irradiating the rod 10.

When the housing 20 and the shielding member 28 are made of a material capable of withstanding the above-mentioned decomposition by ultraviolet rays, the protective layer 201 and the protective layer 281 are unnecessary.

The ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet irradiator 23 can also irradiate a part of the wiring 27 between the two shielding members 28. In order to prevent the insulating coating of the wiring 27 from being deteriorated by ultraviolet rays and causing electric leakage, it is desirable that the insulating coating of the wiring 27 is coated with a material that can withstand the above-mentioned decomposition by ultraviolet rays.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus 2 according to the third embodiment. Of the configurations according to the third embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the position where the ultraviolet irradiator 23 is located.

In the sterilization device 2 of the third embodiment, the housing 20 is provided with a window hole 29 penetrating the peripheral wall of the housing 20. A window plate 4 is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 20 so as to cover the window hole 29. The window plate 4 has transparency to visible light and has a function of blocking ultraviolet rays. The window plate 4 can be configured by, for example, attaching a UV cut film to one surface of a resin or glass plate capable of transmitting visible light.

The phosphor 5 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 20 of the window plate 4. The phosphor 5 has a function of generating fluorescence having a wavelength in the visible light region by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. The phosphor 5 is, for example, a film made of a material that generates fluorescence having a wavelength in the visible light region when irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of ultraviolet rays and fluorescence around the window hole 29. A part of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet irradiator 23 is irradiated to the phosphor 5 as shown by the arrow of the one-point chain line in FIG. 8, and the phosphor 5 generates fluorescence. A part of this fluorescence passes through the window plate 4 as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 8 and is emitted to the outside of the housing 20.

A person around the sterilizer 2 can know the presence or absence of ultraviolet irradiation inside the housing 20 by visually recognizing the fluorescence. That is, the phosphor 5 and the window hole 29 function as display units indicating that the ultraviolet irradiator 23 is irradiating ultraviolet rays. Some ultraviolet rays pass through the phosphor 5 and are reflected by the window plate 4. Since the ultraviolet rays do not pass through the window plate 4 and do not leak to the outside of the housing 20, the people around the sterilizing device 2 are not affected by the ultraviolet rays.

The place where the window plate 4 to which the phosphor 5 is fixed is not limited to the outer surface of the housing 20 inside the housing 20. The window plate 4 to which the phosphor 5 is fixed inside the housing 20 may be fixed to the inner surface of the housing 20, for example. The location where the phosphor 5 is fixed is an example, and the location is not limited to the location shown in the present embodiment and can be appropriately set. The phosphor 5 is arranged inside the housing 20 with respect to the window plate 4, and may be fixed to the inner surface of the housing 20 so as to cover the window hole 29, and the inner surface of the housing 20 visible from the window hole 29 may be fixed. It may be fixed at the position of, or may be fixed to the entire inner surface of the housing 20. A sheet that generates fluorescence by ultraviolet rays may be attached to the inner surface of the housing 20 as the phosphor 5, or a fluorescent paint that generates fluorescence by ultraviolet rays may be applied. The sterilizer 2 is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 20 so as to cover the window hole 29, includes a resin plate containing a fluorescent substance that fluoresces due to ultraviolet rays, and UV is applied to the outer surface of the housing 20 of the plate. The structure may be such that the cut film is fixed. The place where the resin plate containing the fluorescent substance is fixed is not limited to the outer surface of the housing 20.

The display unit indicating that the ultraviolet rays are being irradiated may be realized by another configuration. For example, the entire or part of the housing 20 is made of a material that has transparency to visible light and blocks ultraviolet rays, and the phosphor 5 is arranged at an appropriate position inside the housing 20. According to this configuration, it can be seen that the ultraviolet rays are being irradiated by visually recognizing the fluorescence generated by the phosphor 5 by the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the outside through the housing.

Further, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp configured to light up in conjunction with the light emission of the ultraviolet irradiator 23 may be provided on the outer surface of the housing 20. The LED lamp functions as a display unit.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus 2 according to the fourth embodiment. Of the configurations according to the fourth embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the drive wheel 21 and the two trailing wheels 22 at a certain position.

In the sterilization device 2 of the fourth embodiment, the housing 20 includes a split body 20a in which a part including the support position of one of the driven wheels 22 is separated from the other part. This split body 20a is connected to another part via a hinge 20b on the outer peripheral side, swings around the hinge 20b, and is outside together with the inner driven wheel 22 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Open in the direction. When the split body 20a is opened, the width of the missing portion of the housing 20 increases. Therefore, the sterilizing device 2 covers the housing 20 from above the gripping rod 10, then closes the split body 20a, and drives the wheels 21 and 2. The gripping rod 10 can be gripped and set by the two driven wheels 22. The sterilization device 2 can be easily set at an appropriate position on the gripping rod 10, and can be conveniently attached to and detached from the handrail 1 for inspection and maintenance, and further attached to the existing handrail 1. .. The size of the split body 20a and the position of the hinge 20b are not limited to the size and position shown in FIG. 9, and can be appropriately changed as needed.

The sterilization device 2 includes an open / close sensor 6 that detects the open / closed state of the split body 20a. The open / close sensor 6 can communicate with the control unit 3, and transmits the detected open / closed state of the split body 20a to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 determines whether or not the sterilization device 2 is correctly placed on the handrail 1 based on the open / closed state of the split body 20a transmitted from the open / close sensor 6. For example, when the body 20a is open, the control unit 3 determines that the sterilizer 2 is not correctly placed on the handrail 1, and when the body 20a is closed, the sterilizer 2 is hand-held. It is determined that it is correctly placed on the slide 1. The control unit 3 and the open / close sensor 6 function as a sensing unit that senses whether or not the sterilizing device 2 is correctly mounted on the handrail 1.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus 2 according to the fifth embodiment. Of the configurations according to the fifth embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the position where the ultraviolet irradiator 23 is located.

The ultraviolet irradiator 23 generates heat when emitting ultraviolet rays. Part of this heat is dissipated from the outer surface of the housing 20 to the atmosphere, and the remaining heat is trapped inside the housing 20. When ultraviolet rays are irradiated for a long time, the temperature inside the housing 20 rises due to the heat trapped inside the housing 20, and the components of the sterilizing device 2 such as the ultraviolet irradiator 23 and the mobile motor 24 may malfunction. .. Therefore, it is desired to improve the performance of dissipating the heat generated by the ultraviolet irradiator 23 to the atmosphere.

In the sterilization device 2 of the fifth embodiment, a plurality of heat radiation fins 7 are provided on the outer surface of the housing 20 at positions corresponding to the mounting positions of the respective ultraviolet irradiators 23. The heat radiating fins 7 increase the area where the sterilizer 2 is in contact with the atmosphere, and the heat generated by the ultraviolet irradiator 23 is effectively dissipated to the atmosphere. Therefore, the temperature rise inside the housing 20 is suppressed, and the malfunction of the constituent members of the sterilization device 2 can be suppressed. The number and arrangement of the heat radiating fins 7 are examples, and the number and arrangement are not limited to those shown in the present embodiment and can be appropriately set. Instead of the heat radiating fins 7, a groove may be provided on the outer surface of the housing 20, and a sheet having high thermal conductivity, for example, a metal sheet may be fixed to the outer surface of the housing 20.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a usage state of the sterilizer 2 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the sterilization apparatus 2 according to the sixth embodiment. Of the configurations according to the sixth embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the sterilization device 2 of the sixth embodiment, the housing 20 is divided into three parts, a first body 20c, a second body 20d, and a third body 20e, in the moving direction of the sterilization device 2. Drive wheels 21 (following wheels 22) are attached to the insides of the first body 20c and the third body 20e arranged at both ends of the sterilization device 2 in the moving direction. An ultraviolet irradiator 23 is attached to the inside of the second body 20d arranged at the center of the sterilizing device 2 in the moving direction, and shielding members 28 are provided on both sides of the ultraviolet irradiator 23, respectively. The first body 20c and the second body 20d, and the second body 20d and the third body 20e are connected to each other at the central portion in the circumferential direction by, for example, a resin elastic body 20f. Therefore, the housing 20 can be flexed and deformed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the sterilizing device 2.

The first body 20c, the second body 20d, and the third body 20e are covered with a bellows-shaped exterior body 8 that can be bent and deformed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the sterilizing device 2. Both ends of the sterilizing device 2 in the exterior body 8 in the moving direction are fixed to the outer surface of the first machine body 20c and the outer surface of the third machine body 20e.

Since the housing 20 and the exterior body 8 can be bent and deformed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the sterilizing device 2, the sterilizing device 2 can be used even at the bent portion of the gripping rod 10 provided at the landing of the stairs, for example. It can move with the deformation of the exterior body 8. The first machine body 20c, the second machine body 20d, the third machine body 20e, and the elastic body 20f may be integrally molded. A cover that covers the outside of the exterior body 8 may be attached to the sterilization device 2 for antifouling. The sterilization device 2 may have a configuration in which the housing 20 divided into two in the moving direction of the sterilizing device 2 is connected by a bellows-shaped connecting body that can be bent and deformed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. .. FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the sterilization device 2 in which the divided housings 20 are connected by a bellows-shaped connecting body. When the sterilization device 2 includes the housing 20 divided into the above three parts and the bellows-shaped exterior body 8, the housings 20 divided into the above two parts are connected by the bellows-shaped connecting body. The bulk is smaller than in the case of the configuration.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization apparatus 2 according to the seventh embodiment. Of the configurations according to the seventh embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that FIG. 14 shows a cross section of the position where the ultraviolet irradiator 23 is located.

A photocatalyst layer 13 is formed on the surface of the gripping rod 10 of the seventh embodiment via a protective layer 12. The protective layer 12 and the photocatalyst layer 13 in FIG. 14 are shown thicker than they actually are in order to clearly indicate their existence.

The photocatalyst layer 13 is a layer composed of or containing a photocatalyst that absorbs ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and visible light having a wavelength of 780 nm or less to decompose organic substances.
The photocatalyst is, for example, titanium oxide or tungsten oxide. The photocatalyst may be enhanced in activity or the optical wavelength range may be controlled by doping the photocatalyst with metal ions and supporting the metal on the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst layer 13 is formed by a method such as coating with a coating liquid containing the photocatalyst, coating with a sheet containing the photocatalyst, molding with a resin obtained by kneading the photocatalyst, and the like. The method for forming the photocatalyst layer 13 is not limited to these.

The surface of the photocatalyst layer 13 gripped by the user in the seventh embodiment is sterilized by the photocatalytic action of the photocatalyst layer 13 that has absorbed the ultraviolet rays in addition to the ultraviolet rays emitted from the sterilization device 2. Thereby, the sterilizing effect of the gripping rod 10 can be improved. Since the photocatalyst layer 13 also exhibits activity by irradiation with visible light, the surface of the photocatalyst layer 13 is also sterilized by the photocatalytic action of the photocatalyst layer 13 that has absorbed visible light such as sunlight and illumination light.

The protective layer 12 is made of or contains a material that can withstand decomposition due to photocatalysis. The material is, for example, a metal such as iron, aluminum or copper, an alloy such as stainless steel or brass, or a ceramic such as alumina, apatite, silicon carbide, calcium carbonate, lime or silicate glass. These materials may be used in combination. The protective layer 12 is formed by a method such as coating with a coating liquid containing the material, coating with a sheet containing the material, molding with a resin obtained by kneading the material, or the like. When the metal is used as the material, the protective layer 12 is also formed by thin film deposition. The method of forming the protective layer 12 is not limited to these.

If the photocatalyst layer 13 is formed directly on the surface of the gripping rod 10 made of resin or wood, for example, the gripping rod 10 may be deteriorated by the photocatalytic action. Since the protective layer 12 is formed between the surface of the gripping rod 10 and the photocatalytic layer 13, deterioration of the gripping rod 10 due to photocatalytic action can be prevented.

Further, in the above embodiment, the target of sterilization is not limited to the handrail installed indoors, but may be a handrail installed outdoors.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The technical features described in each example can be combined with each other and the scope of the invention is intended to include all modifications within the claims and scope equivalent to the claims. Will be done.

1 Handrail 2 Sterilizer 3 Control unit 4 Window plate 5 Fluorescent body 6 Open / close sensor 7 Heat dissipation fin 8 Exterior body 10 Grip rod 11 Bracket 12 Protective layer 13 Photocatalyst layer 14 Side wall 20 Housing 20a Divider 20b Hinge 20c 1st machine 20d 2nd machine 20e 3rd machine 20f Elastic body 21 Drive wheel 22 Driven wheel 23 Ultraviolet irradiator 24 Mobile motor 25 Bias spring 26 Battery 27 Wiring 28 Shielding member 29 Window hole 30 CPU
31 ROM
32 RAM
33 Pressure sensor 34 Obstacle sensor 35 Imaging unit 36 Transmission unit 201 Protective layer 281 Protective layer

Claims (14)

Placed on the grip bar of the handrail,
A sterilization device that sterilizes the surface of the gripping rod.
A moving portion that moves along the gripping rod in the length direction of the gripping rod,
An ultraviolet irradiator that irradiates the surface of the gripping rod with ultraviolet rays,
The moving part and the housing for supporting the ultraviolet irradiator inside are provided.
A sterilizing device characterized in that the moving portion and the ultraviolet irradiator are separated from each other in the moving direction of the moving portion. The moving part
A first drive wheel that is in contact with the peripheral surface of the grip rod,
It is provided with a second drive wheel or a driven wheel that is in contact with the peripheral surface of the gripping rod at a position in the circumferential direction different from that of the first drive wheel.
The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel or the driven wheel are gripped by the gripping rod. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a protective layer that protects the housing from ultraviolet rays is formed on the inner surface of the housing. The sterilizing device according to claim 3, wherein the protective layer has a function of reflecting ultraviolet rays. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a shielding member for shielding ultraviolet rays is provided between the ultraviolet irradiator and the moving portion inside the housing. Sterilization device. The sterilizing device according to claim 5, wherein the shielding member is provided on both sides of the ultraviolet irradiator in the moving direction. The sterilizing device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the shielding member has a plate shape. The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a protective layer that protects the shielding member from ultraviolet rays is formed on the surface of the shielding member. The sterilizing device according to claim 8, wherein the protective layer has a function of reflecting ultraviolet rays. The sterilization according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a display unit indicating that the ultraviolet irradiator is irradiating ultraviolet rays is provided on the outside of the housing. apparatus. It is equipped with a sensing unit that detects whether or not it is correctly placed on the handrail.
The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiator is prohibited according to the detection of the sensing unit. A gripping rod with a photocatalyst layer formed on its surface,
A handrail provided with the sterilizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 provided on the gripping rod. The handrail according to claim 12, wherein a protective layer is formed between the surface of the gripping rod and the photocatalytic layer to protect the gripping rod from decomposition due to photocatalytic action. The photocatalyst layer is
The handrail according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it contains a photocatalyst that absorbs ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and visible light having a wavelength of 780 nm or less to decompose organic substances.

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